Cavalli staged his show in a white tent constructed behind the colossal Corinthian columns of the city's neo-classical Arch of Peace, the construction of which began in 1807, in honour of Napoleon.

The 2006 X Factor winner, Leona Lewis, and the American country singer, Taylor Swift, together with the actress, Rachel Bilson, and Heidi Klum, wife of the English R&B singer, Seal, were among the front row guests, as Cavalli's models sashayed down the catwalk like stars in a high fashion remake of "High Noon". Long leather fringes dangled from rock 'n' roll-cowgirl jeans - tighter than any pair Keith Richards or Rod Stewart ever wore; cropped Western jackets and waistcoats; lace-up, thigh-high boots; and rawhide shoulder-bags, decorated with tooth, talon and horn.

The Russian supermodel, Natalia Vodianova, led off the parade of 40 models - one for each of Cavalli's years in fashion - wearing a silver-sequinned, swimsuit-dress, in sheer tulle, laced together with leather thongs. The lace-up technique appeared to be all that was holding many flimsy chiffon dresses together.

Extravagant Apache and Cherokee-style fringed chokers, embellished with silver tusks and claws, dangled in the cleavage of pale-rose and lilac dresses emblazoned with serpent-patterns. Tie-dyed fringing trimmed satin bias-cut skirts, split to the thigh. Open-work crochet dresses revealed as much flesh as a bikini. Pink, python-print boho-gowns were decorated with ostrich feathers, and jet-black, snakeskin jeans dazzled with silver and crystal embroidery.

"I am a little scared," Roberto Cavalli had confessed before his show.

He need not have worried. He received rapturous applause and his place in fashion history as the 'emperor of extravagance' is assured.

The Hollywood stars, George Clooney and Megan Fox, were among the high-profile guests at the final show of Milan Fashion Week today (Monday), by Giorgio Armani, whose spring/summer collection was inspired by the nomadic Tuareg tribes of the Sahara.

Tomorrow, the fashion action moves to Paris for the prêt-à-porter week, final leg on the four-city cavalcade of designer catwalk previews for the spring/summer 2011 season.